Chest splint



July 24, 1923.

S. SIMON CHEST SPLINT Filed Aug. 12, 1922 Patented duly 241-, I923.

Mitt titd @FFHQE.

SELIG SIMON, OF ST. LOUIS, IWZISSOURI.

CHEST SPLINT.

Application filed August 12, 1922.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, Sumo SIMON, a citizen of the United States, residing at the city of St. Louis and State of Missouri, have invented a new and useful Improvement in a Chest Splint, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to chest splints.

An object of the invention is to provide a scientifically constructed appliance embodying a construction for obtaining complete rest and inactivity of the aflected parts in the treatment of diseases of the lungs and the pleura.

The device embodies means for obtaining complete fixation of the muscles in respiration in order to put the chest and lungs at rest. The amount of compression is fully and completely controlled by the person using the device and the pressure is exerted in the supraclavicular and supraspinous fossae, as well as in the intercostal spaces and along the rib margins, thereby restricting diaphragmatic movement.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved chest splint for obtaining the results mentioned and that will act as an aid to nature in the treatment of diseases of the lungs and pleura where chest and lung fixation is essential to recovery: and which, in the treatment of pleurisy.v affords greater relief than other methods or devices heretofore employed and in the treatment of pneumonia prevents the spread of infections material. In using the device following operations on the chest for empyema and the like the chest is held in the position desired by the surgeon so that the operation may be more satisfactorily performed.

Other objects will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description, reference, being made to the drawing in which- Fig. 1 is a front elevation with parts broken away of my improved chest splint.

Fig. 2 is a rear elevation with parts broken away.

Fig 3 is a view of the pneumatic inner bag removed from the covering and showing parts broken away.

In the embodiment of the invention shown the device is in the form of a jacket comprising inner and outer layers of material between which the pneumatic bag is located and provided with means for inflation and deflation. The jacket is open verti- Serial No. 581,392.

cally at the front and is provided with short sleeves.

The outer covering 1 is made of some material or fabric that will not expand under the pressure of the inflation of the pneumatic bag, while the inner covering or lining 2 is of some soft and yielding material or fabrichaving its edges secured to the outer covering by some appropriate means, as by stitches 3. Adjacent to each vertical edge at the front a row of lacing eyelets 4 is provided for the reception of the lacing cord 5. The arm holes of the jacket open into sleeves 6 of proper length which as shown, are open or split along the top, each adjacent edge thereof being provided with a row of lacing eye-lets 7 for the reception of lacing cords 8. A vertical line of stitching 9 is provided at the back of the jacket dividing the space between the outer covering and the inner lining or covering into two separate spaces or compartments.

For treatment of the right side a pneumatic bag is placed in the compartment at the right and omitted from the left compartment, and vice versa.

The pneumatic bag 10 shown comprises inner and outer walls of imperforate rubber or the like forming an air chamber that almost completely fllls the compartment of the jacket in which it is placed, and which extends from near the vertical open edge of the front around the side to the vertical seam 9 and up over the shoulder. having an opening for the arm hole and sleeve of the jacket. A flexible tube 11 opening into the inflation passes through the outer inexpansible covering 1 and is provided with a valve 12 on its outer end. By opening the valve 12 air may be forced in through the pneumatic bag in order to inflate it. or the valve mav be opened in order to deflate the bag. After the device has been applied and inflated the tube 11 and valve 12 may be covered by a flexible flap 13 having one edge secured to the outer covering 1 and its free edge provided with balls or sockets 14: for engagement with cooperating parts 15. By securing the flap 13 over the tube and the valve said parts will be held in place and the valve will not he accidentally opened.

My improved chest splint is placed upon the person using it in the obvious manner and laced; after which the bag is inflated to obtain the required compression and fixation of the chest and lung against which the pneumatic pressure is exerted. It has been determined that by its use the ribs remain fixed during inspiration and the descent of the diaphragm is restricted, thus obtaining complete rest for the affected parts. In this respect the device is entirely safe and efficient and is far more applicable for patients suffering with tuberculosis of the lungs than are adhesive tapes and other expedients of that type that have heretofore been employed. Moreover, the annoyance and pain of renewal incident to the use of adhesive tapes are avoided, and theunreliability of adhesive tapes, due to their yielding characteristics and the loss of adhesiveness, is avoided. In addition, the person using the device can control it completely without the service of one specially qualified, as in the case of the use of adhesive straps for the treatment of pulmonary conditions. The device does not cause pain and the pressure exerted is constant and equally distributed and does not vary. It may be removed at any time and replaced without difficulty.

In the embodiment of the invention shown the pneumatic bag is encased in a covering of such material that all pressure is directed against the affected part of the chest when the bag is inflated. The appliance is made according to exact measurements of the wearers body so that a proper fit is obtained. The amount of pressure may be de termined by the use of any appropriate pressure gauge, and, since the pressure of the pneumatic bag is against one side only the patient is permitted to breathe naturally. Inflation is obtained during expiration, the valve 12 being closed during inspiration. lVhen a sufiicient amount of inflation has been obtained the valve is closed to prevent escape of air, and the tube 11 and the valve 12 are placed within the flap 13.

From the foregoing it will be seen that my invention is a scientifically designed appliance adapted for use as an aid 'to physicians in their treatment of tuberculosis of the lungs, pneumonia, acute painful pleurisies, intercostal neuralgia, and followda operations on the chest, or any conditions where fixation of the chest is desired.

The construction and arrangement of the devicemay be varied within equivalent limits without departure from the nature and principle of the invention.

What I claimand desire to secure by Letters Patent is 2-- Y1. A chest splint of the character described, comprising a jacket composed of an outer covering and an inner lining and adapted to enclose the chest of the user. in combination with a pneumatic bag interposed between the outer covering and the lining, and an inflation and deflation tube passing through the outer covering and opening into the bag.

2. A chest splint of the character described, comprising a jacket composed of an inexpansiblc outer covering and an inner lining secured thereto, the jacket being adapted to enclose the chest of the user, in combination with a pneumatic bag extending from about the middle of the front of the jacket to about the middle of the back of the jacket.

3. A chest splint of the character described, comprising ajacket composed of an inexpansible outer covering and an inner lining secured thereto, the jacket being adapted to enclose the chest of the user, in combination with a pneumatic bag extend ing from about the middle of the front of the jacket to about the middle of the back of the jacket, and a tube passing through the outer covering and opening into the bag for inflation and deflation purposes.

l. A chest splint of the character described, comprising a jacket open at the front and composed of a substantially inexpansible outer covering, an inner lining secured to the outer covering, and means for securing the jacket around the chest of the user, in combination with an impervious pneumatic bag between the outer covering and the lining and extending from about themiddle of the front of the jacket to about the middle of the back of the jacket, and a tube opening into the bag and extending through the covering whereby the bag may be inflated and deflated.

5. A chest splint of the character described, comprising a jacket open at the front and composed of a substantially inexpansible outer covering, an inner lining secured to the outer eovering,and means for securing the jacket around the chest of the user, in combination with an impervious pneumatic bag between the outer covering and the lining and extending from about the middle of the front of the jacket to about the middle of the back of the jacket,'a tube opening into the bag and extending through the covering whereby the bag may be inflated and deflated, and means for covering the tube.

6.'A chest splint of the character described, comprising a jacket open at the front and adapted to enclose the chest of the user andcomposed of an outer covering of substantially inexpansible material, an inner lining secured to the edges of the outer covering at its edges and vertically at the back, and means for fastening the jacket upon the chest of the user, in combination with a pneumatic bag between the outer covering and the lining and 7 extending from near one edge of the front of the jacket to near the line at which the lining is secured to the back of the jacket.

7. A chest splint of the character described, comprising a jacket open at the front and adapted to enclose the chest of the user and composed of an outer covering of substantially inexpansible material, an inner lining secured to the edges of the outer covering at its edges and vertically at the back, and means for fastening the jacket upon the chest of the user, in combination with a pneumatic bag between the outer covering and the lining and extending from near one edge of the front of the jacket to near the line at which the lining is secured to the back of the jacket, and an inflation and deflation tube for the bag extending through the outer covering of the jacket.

8. A chest splint ofthe character described, comprising a jacket open at the front and adapted to enclose the chest of the user and composed of an outer covering of substantially inexpansible material, an inner lining secured to the edges of the outer covering at its edges and vertically at the back, and means for fastening the jacket upon the chest of the user, in combination with a pneumatic bag between the outer covering and the lining and extending from near one edge of the front of the jacket to near the line at which the lining is secured to the back of the jacket, and an inflation and deflation tube for the bag extending through the front portion of the outer covering of the jacket.

9. A chest splint of the character described, comprising a jacket open at the front and adapted to enclose the chest of the user and composed of an outer covering of substantially inexpansible material, an inner lining secured to the edges of the outer covering at its edges and vertically at the back, and means for fastening the jacket upon the chest of the user, in combination with a pneumatic bag between the outer covering and the lining and extending from near one edge of the front of th jacket to near the line at which the lining is secured to the back of the jacket, an inflation and deflation tube for the bag extending through the front portion of the outer covering of the jacket, and a valve for said tube.

10. A chest splint of the character de scribed, comprising a jacket open at the front and adapted'to enclose the chest of the user and composed of an outer covering of substantially inexpansible material, an inner lining secured to the edges of the outer covering at its edges and vertically at the back, and means for fastening the jacket upon the chest of the user, in combination with a pneumatic bag between the outer covering and the lining and extending from near one edge of the front of the jacket to near the line at which the lining is secured to the back of the jacket, and inflation and deflation tube for the bag extending through the front portion of the outer covering of the jacket, a valve for said tube, and a covering device for said tube and valve.

SELIG SIMON. 

